EXACTLY a year after it was opened by TV star Martin Clunes, Dorset's Robert White Centre for people with cancer is celebrating the treatment of more than 5,000 people.

The Robert White Centre at the Dorset County Hospital ensures that patients in the west of the county have access to state-of-the-art radiotherapy on the linear accelerator machine installed there.

The facility was paid for by more than £9 million from the will of Robert White, a Poole businessman who built up a respected photographic company and who sold his beloved motorbike collection to raise money, to ensure a legacy of hope as he battled cancer.

A spokesman for the hospital said: "For years, patients in the north, south and west of the county had to travel to the Dorset Cancer Centre at Poole Hospital for radiotherapy.

"This meant a daily journey for up to six and a half weeks – a source of tremendous physical, emotional and financial hardship on people at a time when they feel sick, vulnerable and probably quite scared which was far from ideal. Historically, a number of patients had previously refused treatment for this very reason."

Now patients are benefitting from nearby treatment and so is the environment. The spokesman said: "Since opening, the Centre’s location has been instrumental in significantly reducing carbon emissions and saving patients in excess of 263,600 miles (424,223 kms), equating to saving a CO2 footprint of 133 tonnes."

Dorset's cancer services have also used the first anniversary to launch The Robert White Legacy Fund - and ongoing charitable work for cancer services in Dorset.

Dr Mike Bayne, Robert White’s oncology consultant at Poole Hospital said: “Happy Birthday to the Robert White Centre! It was a privilege to be Robert’s oncologist and I am delighted that his amazing legacy continues to make a step change in care for all our patients and their families battling cancer.”

At the celebration event the Legacy Fund’s new logo was unveiled, based on a mascot of Robert’s named Roland (aka Flops), who travelled the world with him. The wings are from his company logo with the goggles and helmet representing Robert's passion for motorbikes and cars.